Las Vegas: 9 players set for World Series of Poker final

by Anthony Curtis - Jul. 27, 2012 06:36 PMSpecial for The Republic

The final-table players in the World Series of Poker's Main Event have been determined. The traditional "November Nine" is the "October Nine" this year, due to the tournament's reconvening on Oct. 28 to avoid coinciding with the presidential election.

The nine players who are about to become household names in poker circles are led by Jesse Sylvia with almost 44 million in chips, 14 million more than the second-biggest stack. Last in the field is Jeremy Ausmus, with just less than 10 million.

The players' ages range from 21 to 56, with an average of 34.1 years. Eight finalists are from the U.S.; one is from Hungary. Seven will win prizes in excess of $1 million, with the champion taking $8.5 million.

Women on the bubble: For a while, it looked as if women were about to have their first final-table representative since 1995, but it wasn't to be. Gaelle Baumann of France and Elisabeth Hille of Norway wound up 10th and 11th, respectively. Finishing one spot out of the money is known as "being on the bubble."

Shrimp and a dog: Get a taste of old Vegas at the downtown Fremont, where the Lanai Express snack bar offers one of the few remaining 99-cent shrimp cocktails, as well as footlong hot dogs for $2.99 ($3.99 with chili). Both are available 11 a.m.-7 a.m. daily.

Rebate down: One of Las Vegas' most valuable gambling deals is no more: The $1,000 loss rebate at Riviera has been discontinued. New-member players-club promotions for lower amounts continue at Tropicana, Cannery, Eastside Cannery, Palms, Westin and Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Question: I want to see "Phantom of the Opera" before it closes. When is the last show?

Answer: "Phantom -- The Las Vegas Spectacular" runs through Sunday, Sept. 2. There has been no word from Venetian about a replacement for the custom-built "Phantom" theater.